The International Space Station, like anything else man made, requires maintenance. Some of this maintenance involves the replacing of parts such as rocket nozzles, and satellite parts. Maintenance of anything in orbit is expensive, so manufacturing parts in space seems like the more logical route. A startup company known as Made In Space have been working on a system that can make this a reality. The system has already been successful at printing a small wrench in partial gravity, and is the first to do so. Providing that Made In Space receives some NASA funding in 2012 the ISS could have it’s very own 3-D printer by 2014.
3-D Image Modeling from 2-D Pictures
EPFL researchers from the Computer Vision Laboratory in Switzerland have created computer models that can render 3-D images from thousands of 2-D images using cloud processing.
Pix4D, an EPFL based starup company also based in Switzerland, offers this 3-D modeling service. Basically the service creates these rendered 3-D model outputs by knitting together a mesh of 2-D pictures using their “connecting points-of-interest” which are defined using multiple image processing techniques. More details can be found in Pix4D’s video by EPFLNEWS After the merging and shaping of the original orthoimages, an orthmosaic is produced and can be downloaded. Check out some Pix4D examples in their showcase.
Here’s some food for thought: Imagine merging Pix4D’s incredible 3-D rendering speeds with Google Earth‘s option to display a 3-D models! Could this technology be complementary or destructive to Google Earth in 3-D due to each building having to be created manually; either way it would make flying through Google Earth using their Flight Simulator quite entertaining…
Japan: Must Now Abide by the Tide
Japan now has areas that are permanently in the path of the ocean. The 9.0 sized earthquake that hit back in March 11, 2011 has now been observed to show that parts of Japan now submerge beneath the high tide, which now creeps up to people’s doorways. (Is this covered by Tsunami Flood Insurance.)
Anyway on a side note, but related: Now we can possibly explain the vanishing of some Japanese pyramids.
Please donate to Japan, they could still use the help.
- Thanks again, here’s to keeping Japan in our thoughts.
Printing In 3-D: Commercially
So we have all now become familiar with printing nearly anything we want, from documents to photos all at our convenience. So what happens now when you can print items from food to more commercial and ultimately more appealing to most: Machinery parts.
Just imagine: “Hey Bro, I’m emailing you this sandwich I made earlier… print it out!”
(Let’s just hope that the “ink” isn’t too overpriced.)
……**Printing in 3-D**……
“Good” robots? Peeps at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland show us.
We are living in a time of automation, which builds on automation; a time when things become easier with the help of our technological buds. Phones that cook dinner for you…(wait..not yet, but definitely on the right path.) Well we should certainly hope that our future techno friends (our automatic machines…aka, robots) will be fundamentally good.
You will be pleased to know that according to some studies robots can be good, altruistic to their own kind. After a few computer simulations involving some virtual robots and some pretend food, the conclusion is that robots can develop good values. Such as how it is such a privilege to belong to a group (sorry, I just had to play the obvious), and the importance of group survival.
Anyways… “Autobots, roll-out.”
Mountains On Our Moon
Everyone knows that there are craters on the moon. But what about mountains? Yes, there are mountains on the moon and we recently got an opportunity to observe them thanks to the Solar Dynamic Observatory. The moon became a dark figure on the 3rd of May this year as it passed nearly right in front of the Sun. When looking close at the moon’s silhouette, we’re able to see jagged edges; these are in fact mountains.
If you would like to see images and read further please check out National Geographic.
Also, while you’re at it check out Google Maps for the moon! Cool.
(Fact for the day: You can’t make any sound on the moon, and here’s why.)
Image Duplicates Online? There’s a tool for that.
Ever wanted to know where or if an image has been posted online? Check out TinEye. This neat tool can help check if an image has been posted online before, or if it has been posted on many websites.
The purpose of the tool can be for finding online duplicates, image originality, or just for finding an image at a different resolution (for example, a better wallpaper).
Nearly an essential tool for any web developer/enthusiast.
TinEye has plugins for your web browser as well.
Enjoy.
Personalizing Google Maps with Google Map Maker
Ever looked at a particular location on Google Maps and realize that there is a path through the park missing, or the name of your favourite pub or bar isn’t displayed, or perhaps your business location is not correctly indicated on the map? Well now Google account holders can add to Google Maps with Google Map Maker.
Google Map Maker allows for individuals to modify the maps, and after an automated approval, could have their addition permanently implemented. Here is the Youtube video if you would like a brief summary of the features offered by this tool. Don’t worry if the video shows only the United States getting access to such a tool, here is a list of countries that now have maps which are being enhanced by Google Map Maker.
A tool such as this is really fantastic when it comes to increasing the precision and adding more content to the already extremely detailed maps offered by Google.
Happy mapping!
- Luckyslug
Predicting Tsunami Landfall Areas
Imagine having tools that could help us predict what areas a tsunami will affect. Well here is one particular tsunami mapping tool trying to do just this. The site uses Google Maps elevation data as well as a flood fill algorithm in order to create the simulated landfall of a tsunami.
One particular recent example would be the tsunami that recently crawled onto Japan’s shores in 2011. Here is the actual affected area which you can compare with the Tsunami Mapper’s prediction.
Here is some food for thought: Imagine combining tsunami warning systems, the Tsunami Mapper, and possibly some GPS app on your smartphone that tells you to “get out of here;” and just for the cherry on top, throw in the quickest possible route to safety.
Systems such as these should be combined in order to improve our survival rates as well as our understanding of such disasters.
Thanks for reading 
- LuckySlug
Japan 2011: Small Things Go A Long Way
Relaxing after a hard day of recovery. It’s good to keep positive, even in the worst situations.
